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<em>James Radcliffe “Jim" Brokenshire, Jr. </em>was born to the late Claudia (Gibbon) and James R. Brokenshire, Sr. in Hazelton Hospital, Hazelton, PA. Jim grew up in East Mauch Chunk (now Jim Thorpe), PA. Jim frequently enjoyed reminiscing about his hometown, always referring to it by its original name, Mauch Chunk. Jim often spoke fondly of his grandfather “Brokie,” who worked in the coal mines of Lansford, PA from the age of seven, when he picked the slate from the coal, until his retirement as a miner at age 68. Jim always thought of his grandfather as a strong and hard-work­ing individual who stood out as Jim’s role model throughout his life.</p>
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At the age of nine, Jim moved with his family to Reading, PA, where his father had secured a teaching position. Jim attended elementary school and high school in Muhlenberg Township, PA. Upon gradu­ation from high school, Jim was accepted at Albright College in Reading, PA, and spent six months there before applying to West Point. He received a Congressional Appointment to the West Point Class of 1955 and entered the Academy in July 1951. At times the academics were difficult for Jim, but he managed to keep his head above water.</p>
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Speaking of water, Jim had never learned to swim before entering West Point. The Academy immediately “enrolled” Jim in remedial swimming classes (the “Rock Squad”). Jim always claimed that these swim classes were the worst part of his four years at West Point, but he learned to be a great swimmer as a result of those classes.</p>
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Jim also ran track his Plebe year. Coach Crowell graciously offered Jim the opportu­nity to be the manager for both the cross country and track teams, and he happily accepted the offer. Coach Crowell became not only a friend to Jim, but also a mentor. Jim often recalled his memories of Coach Crowell through the years.</p>
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During the four years that Jim attended West Point, he dated Shirley Ann (Miller), whom Jim had met in Reading, PA, on a blind date prior to his entering the Academy. After a few dates, Jim left for West Point, but they corresponded throughout the summer. For Jim’s birthday in September, Shirley decided to bake a spice cake which she sent through the mail. It arrived at West Point mostly in crumbs. This did not deter Jim and his roommate, Kelly Lichtenberg, from devouring it with pleasure, proving that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.</p>
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On graduation day, Jun 7, 1955, Jim and Shirley were married in the Old Cadet Chapel. They raised three children: Susan, Beth, and James III. In later years, their grown children married, and Jim and Shirley eventually became grandparents to seven grandchildren. Before Jim’s pass­ing, he saw his first great-grandchild, Mia Grace. Jim and Shirley’s loving and won­derful marriage lasted for 55 years.</p>
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Jim was commissioned as an Infantry officer but transferred to Armor in 1957. His tours took him from Schofield Barracks in Hawaii to two tours at Ft. Knox, KY, two tours in Ft. Leavenworth, KS and special duty to Israel. Jim also was an assistant pro­fessor at VMI in Lexington, VA, and spent three years assigned to the Pentagon. Jim had two hardship tours, one in Korea and the other in Vietnam, and his final assign­ment was as the American military attache to the Government of Chile in Santiago. He retired from there as a full colonel in August 1979.</p>
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After his retirement from the mili­tary, Jim worked primarily in municipal government in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, serving his community as an active participant in a variety of local governmental roles, including as municipal and township managers. He was a strong supporter of local veterans groups, dedi­cated to making certain that veterans got the recognition and support they deserved and worked tirelessly on their behalf at the State Capitol. Jim also served as a two-term president of his MOAA Chapter. He also served four years as the president of the Pennsylvania Council of Chapters with MOAA.</p>
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Jim had a smile that would brighten anyone’s day. He was a gentleman, true to his country, and a good soldier. Above all, he was the love of his wife’s life, a good fa­ther, who could be stern but always fair and loving to his children. He was also a kind and caring grandfather. His life ended Aug 16, 2010, after a brief illness of one year. He had been diagnosed with Myelodysplaftic Syndrome almost a year to the date he died. He died at home with his wife Shirley and his daughter Beth at his side to comfort him. He assured them he was ready, and, lovingly, we let him go.</p>
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<em>—Shirley Brokenshire, loving wife</em></p>